The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: The herb sent is the Erythroea ¶ Typesetter's error for Erythraea ? ¶ Australis, closely allied to the British Erythroea Centaurium. It is an objectionable plant on pastures, because it is so bitter ...

Document information

Physical location:

95.01.00c

Plant names

Erythroea Australis
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Erythroea Centaurium
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to the Leader, 1895-01 [95.01.00c]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1890-6/1895/95-01-00c-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Answers to correspondents', Leader, 5 January 1895, p. 9 (B95.01.02). It is introduced by ' Specimen of Herb .— F. M., Bong Bong.— Baron Von Mueller, reports:'.

Bong Bong was a hamlet near Bowral, NSW.

The herb sent is the Erythroea

Typesetter's error for Erythraea ?

Australis, closely allied to the British . It is an objectionable plant on pastures, because it is so bitter that herds and flocks avoid it. But the bitter principle acts as a tonic like Gentian, so that a weak infusion or a tincture made with wine or diluted alcohol can serve medicinally. As the Erythroea is seeding copiously, and the seeds germinate readily, the plant should not be allowed to become abundant anywhere. It being an annual, it can be kept within bounds by cutting it before it matures seed.